Sunday cat rescue II September 27, 2008

They are all descendants of Snowball, a cat with six toes Hemingway was given in 1935. The US Department of Agriculture has been challenging the cats’ residency for years, and threatening fines of $200 a day per each of the 50 cats.

Finally, about a year ago, Morawski [President and CEO of the museum] and a USDA deputy administrator agreed to hire an independent animal behaviorist to make recommendations. Dr. Terry Curtis, from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said in a report that the cats appeared “well-cared for, healthy and content” and suggested the special fence that was installed.

“We’re excited we found a solution that protects the health and welfare of the cats while preserving the historical integrity of the Hemingway Home and Museum,” Morawski said. “That’s been our whole goal since we were notified by the USDA in 2003.”